Amp Recommendation?

[GoBig]

I'm installing 10 Polk MM6501UM 6.5" speakers. 6 interior on 6 channels and 4 on the tower running off 2 channels, 8 channels total. Speaker rating is 125w continuous / 250w max. I would like to run one amp for all 10 speakers (8 channels) if possible. The amp must be marine rated. Can I run all off a 4 channel amp? Drawbacks? Any recommendations?

Alternatively, I could run one 4 channel amp for the interior speakers and a 2 channel for the tower.

David at Earmark --- would appreciate your insight and let me know what you have to offer. Thanks!

[GoBig]

RE: Amp Recommendation?

Clarification from above --- I was looking at the wrong spec sheet. Should be the Polk MM651UM 6.5" 100w continuous / 200w max.

I have a ZAPCO 1000.4. Can I set this up to run my entire system? Speakers are 4ohms, each channel on the ZAPCO is 2ohms. Not sure what the implication is here. If I put multiple speakers on one channel, does this reduce the load to each speaker? I'm a boat guy, I'm NOT a stereo guy, I really have no idea what I'm doing so I'm sure this sounds ignorant. Thanks for the help.

[EarmarkMarine]

RE: Amp Recommendation?

GoBig,

Let's say you're using your existing Zapco amplifier. It's no problem. Two channels will run the four tower speakers in parallel for a resulting 2-ohm load.

The other two channels will run the six in-boat speakers in a combination series/parallel configuration.

The four cockpit speakers will be wired two per channel in series. The bow speakers will be run in parallel with the collective and seriesed cockpit speakers.

You'll use a 10-step stereo transformer to attenuate the bow speakers and bring them into balance with the cockpit. The transformer raises the impedance without converting power to heat like a resistive solution would and doesn't waste power. Once set, this device is sealed up, hidden away and forever ignored.

Contact us at info@earmarkcaraudio.com for details on the device and watertight housing.

David
Earmark Marine

[GoBig]

RE: Amp Recommendation?

David,
This is great, thanks. I'll be in contact re: this and other essentials. Appreciate the support!

[tazz3069]

RE: Amp Recommendation?

David,
Its great to have a person like you on here. Full of information, recommendations, and tips on what do to and what not to do with our sysems. I recommended you on another sight of the current boat that I have. I told them how great Earmark is. They seem to be a bit stuffy over there. Maybe that is why I am going to buy a Nautique and get rid of the stuffiness (Moomba).